John Carlos de Melo

February 10, 1941 - September 12, 2022

John Carlos de Melo was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. He took his last breath and left this world peacefully on September 12, 2022 at the age of 81. He was born to Leonardo de Melo and Sofia dos Santos in Sao Miguel, Azores on February 10, 1941. He served in the Portuguese Army between 1961 and 1966, facing combat in Angola.

After a courtship that blossomed through love letters over an eight-year period prior to and during his military service, he married his teenage sweetheart, Donalda Maria in July 1966. They started their life together in the United States later that year, settling in San Francisco, CA.

He started his career as a coin-roller for Bank of America and progressed through the ranks to a Vice President and Branch Manager in a career spanning 35 years with Bank of America. After his “semi-retirement” in 2000, he engaged in various financial consulting roles for multiple companies including Bay Decking Company, Creative Wood Inc., and Universal Service Recycling Company.

John tirelessly volunteered with multiple charitable organizations including the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, San Leandro Lions Club, Luso American Education Foundation, and I.D.E.S of San Leandro. He derived great pleasure and purpose by giving back to the community.

He had a passion for reading and writing, honing his craft and published three books – “Simple Wonders”, “Chasing the Dream” (also translated into Portuguese), and “I’ve Got Tickets to Heaven”. He was an avid explorer and made the Northern Portugal/Southern Spain pilgrimage along the Camino Santiago four times between 2008 and 2015. His last Camino trip in Summer 2015 served as his capstone spiritual and magical achievement by completing the journey with his three sons.

John and his beloved wife Donalda greatly cherished their annual summertime trips back to their Azorean homeland of Sao Miguel to visit with friends and relatives, take in the island’s natural beauty and culture, and reconnect with his Portuguese heritage. Family was everything to John and he was a supreme role model for his sons. He doted on his grandchildren, counting these blessings and their enduring legacy.

John will be remembered for his kind nature, dedicated work ethic, sense of humor, energetic spirit, creativity, and willingness to help out a friend or family member without reservation. Our family is enriched by our shared history and the memories he made.

He is survived by his wife Donalda, his children Carlos (Julianna), Victor (Carol), and Tony (Stephanie), and seven grandchildren: Sofia, Jackson, Isabella, Josefina, Francesca, Tessa, and Nicholas.